There are many plays in which children may amuse themselves so as to benefit both the mind and body.  Exercise is very essential to the health, and all children should accustom themselves to such exercise as will give elasticity to all the muscles of the body.  Some children often play too hard, and others, before they get through playing, get to quarrelling.  Children never appear so badly as when they quarrel with each other.  Joseph and William, Jane and little Susan, are out in the garden playing “hide and seek,” around the summer house, as you see in the picture.  William became a little contrary, because every thing in the play did not suit him, and declared he would run away.  And you see how cross he looks at Jane, as he turns round to run away.  Children should never let anger rise in their bosoms because of some small mistake on the part of others.  They should always overlook all mistakes, forgive all injuries, and learn to love each other when at play, as well as when at school.  Good children will play together, without getting angry, and it is a pretty sight to see such children all happy in each other’s society, and enjoying their pleasant pastimes, with cheerful and happy hearts.

    Our evil actions spring like trees,
      From small and hidden seeds;
    We think, or wish some wicked thing,
      And then do wicked deeds.

    Whoever dares to tell a lie,
      Whoever steals a pin,
    Whoever strikes an angry blow,
      Has done a deed of sin.

GEORGE AND HIS GUINEA.

Little George Ames went with his Aunt to attend a missionary meeting.  After the minister had ended his sermon, as he sat in the pew he whispered to his aunt, saying, “I wish you would lend me a guinea and I will give it to you again when we get home.”  His aunt asked him what he wanted of his guinea; he told her he wished to put it in the box when it came round, to assist in sending the gospel to the heathen children.  She replied, “a guinea is a great deal of money, George; you had better ask your mother, first.”  As George’s mother lived very near the church, he went home immediately, and said, “Mother, will you let me have my guinea to give to the mission.”  George’s mother saw that he was very much interested for the heathen children, and says to him, “supposing you give half of it.”  “No,” said George, “I want to give it all.”

“Well, my dear, you will remember you cannot give it and have it too.”  She then gave him a one pound note, and a shilling.  But George said he would rather have a guinea.  “Why,” said his mother, “what difference can it make? it is just the same amount.”  “Yes,” said George, “but that one pound will seem so much for a little boy to give.  If I had a guinea, I could put it in between two half-pence and nobody would know any thing about it.”  His mother was pleased with his proposal, and George having got his guinea returned to the church and put it in the box as he intended.